Drama in Knightsbrook
Cahir Park winning on the 19th for the AIG Men’s Pierce Purcell Shield Semi-Finals. Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
Greystones captain, Ray Crotty, is looking forward to the opportunity to end a 31-year wait for glory in the AIG Men’s Junior Cup at Knightsbrook today.
The Wicklow club got the better of Clandeboye in this morning’s semi-final, and set up a final with Limerick after they got through Strabane in Trim.
“It's brilliant. We’ve put a lot of work in since March, think it showed today,” said Crotty.
“Our guys played great. There was a couple of matches that could've gone either way as always, came out the right side of it but delighted. Really looking froward to tomorrow.”
Greystones built up an unsurmountable lead early against Clandeboye, while Limerick needed extra holes to book their place in the decider. A birdie on the 19th hole for Luke Carey sealed the victory for the men from Munster. They will go in search of their fifth AIG Men’s Junior Cup tomorrow.
Defending champions Bearna were the first team to secure their place in Friday’s AIG Women’s Junior Foursomes All-Ireland Final.
Elizabeth Neville and Nuala Timoney put the first point on the board with a 7&5 win en route to a 2.5-0.5 victory against Old Conna.
Bearna captain Clare Cunningham is looking forward to tomorrow as they set out to claim their third victory in the championship.
“It’s amazing, the girls have been absolutely fantastic. Old Conna were a fantastic team, and it was a very sporting match. We’re just pure delighted to get there,” said Cunningham.
“The time and effort the team have put into this to get this far has been incredible and we look forward to tomorrow and we hope for another win."
Standing between Bearna and back-to-back successes in the AIG Women’s Junior Foursomes will be Dromoland, who came out on top in their semi-final matchup against Ballybofey & Stranorlar.
Julie Fitzgerald and Dorothy Brennan set the tone with a 7&6 win in the top match, before Suzanne McConway and Karina Doyle followed up with a similarly dominant display, to send Dromoland into the final.
It’s set to be a special meeting between Bearna and Dromoland, as Bearna eye up two-in-a-row while Dromoland dream of their first green pennant in the competition.
The afternoon matches began with the AIG Men’s Pierce Purcell Shield semi-final between Ballinrobe and Cahir Park, where it came down to the last match, which required a playoff on the 19th hole.
Cahir Park’s duo of Seamus Moran and Conal O’Reilly eventually helped them advance to the final, to the disbelief of their captain John Morrissey.
“Over the moon, halfway through we thought we were dead and buried, I can’t believe we came back and won it. We had a bit of luck, we needed it, and we’re delighted to be there tomorrow,” said Morrissey.
The final will be an all-Munster affair as Cahir Park face off against Spanish Point, who defeated Strabane 3.5-1.5. The double act of Michael O’Brien and Michael Daffy claimed the opening point with an 8&7 win, before their teammates secured 2.5 of the remaining 4 points to seal victory.
The fourth competition saw teams battling it out to reach the AIG Women’s Challenge Cup final. And first up Portumna defeated Ballinascorney, 3.5-1.5.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of her team’s success, Portumna captain Sharon Haney couldn’thide her delight. “Absolutely looking forward to the final tomorrow, great day out there today. Ballinascorney were tough players, absolutely fantastic win. Well done to my ladies and to the caddies,” said Haney.
And they were joined by Corrstown after Eithna McIvor secured their 3-2 win over Ballyneety on the 17th hole.
Golf Ireland Communications